Nipper & Tripper

Fennec Foxes

Nipper and Tripper…

  • Brothers, born 5.14.2016

  • Also known as a "desert fox"

  • Smallest fox in the world, weighing between 2-4 lbs

  • Nocturnal to avoid the daytime heat of the desert

  • Live in North Africa and the Sinai and Arabian peninsulas

  • Omnivore (eats bugs, lizards, birds, eggs and also plant materials)

  • Thick fur coats to insulate them against the cold desert nights

  • Can jump 3 feet from a standing position 

  • Live in groups of up to 10 

  • Mark their territory with urine

  • Very large ears compared to body size, use these to regulate their temperature

  • Those ears can also detect the sounds of prey underneath the sand!

  • Can live up to 11 years

  • Nipper is our extrovert fox; loves his keepers, loves to play, favorite enrichment toy is his snuffle mat

  • Tripper is our introvert fox; prefers to remain in the background, scared of thunder, favorite enrichment activity is a forage pile

  • Both foxes are easy to train, they have learned how to scratch on sandpaper to keep their nails trimmed